Cartridge-shell loader.



No. 713,032. Patented Nov. 4, |902. l

E. L. wETzlG 0 G. w. REusT. CARTRIDGE SHELL- LOADER.

(Application mea Apr, 1, 1902.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

.Wwf f No. 7|'3,o32'. Patented Nov. 4, |902.

E. L. wETzl-G & G. w. nEusT. CARTRIDGE SHELL LOADER.

(Application led Apr, 1, 1902. v (No Modei.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

/NvgNo/as, A 'Zr' Beat-22W Y l I ATTORNEYS vview of said shell-receiver.

-NrTn-D terne ATENT Prion.

ERNEST L. wETzre AND GEORGE W. REnsr. or JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS.-

cARTRlncE-SH ELL LOADER.

SPECIFIGATICN forming part o f Letters Patent No. 713,032, dated November 4,1902.

pplication filed April 1, 1902. Serial llo.' l 00.996. .(No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern,.-y

Beit known that we, ERNEST LWETZIG and GEORGE W. REUST, citizens of the United States, and residents of JunctionCity, in the 'county of Geary and State of Kansas, have made certain new and. useful Improvements 'in Cartridge-Shell Loaders, of .which the following is a speciflcation.\

Our invention relates to several improvements in the construction of shell-loaders, and the details of construction, arrangement, and operation of parts are as .hereinafter described, and shown in'accoinpanying drawings, (,three sheets,) in which- Figure 1 is a side view ofthe main portion of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan View o f the stop or guardpost for the plungerlever. Fig. 4 is al'front view of the main portion of the machine. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vert-ical section of the portion .of the wad table or tray and the tubular shell-receiver arranged beneath the saine. Fig. 6 is a plan Fig. 7 is a perspective View of one ot'A ,the-spring-iingers forming an attachment of theshellreceiver proper. Fig. 8 is a side View of the upper portion of the shell-receiver. Fig. 9 is a per`` spective view of the box or hollow guide in Which'the charge-receiver is adapted` to slide horizontally. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the parts ot', the charge-receiver separated fromieach other. Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the horizontal bar or support upon ger are operated. Fig. 14is a perspectiveI view of the portion of the-wad-plu nger which 'is connected with the lever shown in Fig. 13.

VReferring in the first Vinstance toFigs. 1, 2, 3, X indicates the edge of the -tabl'e or shelf or analogous' fixture upon which the machine @is secured. The frame of the machine includes a T-shape horizontalvbase-piece. 1, which is provided with four vertical posts 2 3 4 5,' whose functions will be hereinafter described. A horizontal wad' table.' or tra! 6 is portion, of its front side.

horizontally secured upon a. projecting flange.

or lug of the base-piece 1.

that will be presently described. The saidy lever 10 is pivotedat its rear end 11to the top of the post or standard 3 and is held not` (See Fig. 4.), As'- shown'in Fig. 5, the table -6 is provided with an opening at its inner end into which wadsY n This opening lnally' supported in the inclined position .4

shown in Fig. l by means of a U-spring 1'2. The latter is rigidly attached Ato the post 3,

and itsl free end is flexibly connected with the lever in advance of its pivot bya. link 13.

The post or standard 3 maybe connected with the base-piece `1 in any preferred inanner, so that easy rotation is'perrnitted. `In.

this instance (see Fig. l) a screw=bolt is inserted in the base of the post 3 and provided -with a head on the end that passes through y the base-piece. It will be understood that the latter is provided with an exterior llange, which rests directly'u ponthe fixed support X. p As shown in Fig. 4,` the post or standard 2 carries at its upper end a horizontalbar 15, (see also Figs. l1 and 12,) which is secured thereto by means of a screw. This bar 15 is attached to the box or hollow guide 16 by screw-bolts 16a, (see Figs. 1, 4, and 9,) in which the charge-receiver 17 (see Figs. 4, 10, and 12) is adapted to slide. The said guide or box 16 is open at itsbottom and also at a. The upper side of thebox 16 is provided with two hollow conical sockets 19 for reception and support of the powder and shotholders 20 and 21. (See Fig. 4.) The upper guide 8 for the wadplung'er 7, Abefore referred to, projects from and is-forme'd integrally with the boxl, and the lower guide 9, corresponding and arranged horizontally parallel to the guide 8^, is secured to the short post 4. (See Fig. l.) A tube 22 (see especially Figs. 1 and 11)is attached to the under side of the support 15,

upon which the charge-receiver 17 is adapted to slide, such part 15 being provided (see Fig.

11') with an opening 22, that registers with. ;:the tube. .The lower portion ofthe latter -IOC passes through and is held rigidly in the lower plunger-guide 9, and its scarfed or beveled lower endprojects into suitable proximity to the hole in the wad-table 6, so that powder 5 and shot received alternately by said tube may be conducted int-o the shell-receiver 23. (See Figs. 1, 4, 5.)

The'd'eta'ils of construction of the chargereceiver 17 are as follows: The body of the ro same (see Fig. consists of two parallel rectangular plates 24, which are suitably secured to a central connecting-piece or bridge 25, which serves as a division between the powder and shot received, as will presently appear. In each end of the frame thus formed of the parts 24 and 25 is secured a rectangular block 26'.V The latter'is provided with a slot or elongated transverse opening 28, through which passes the cylindrical screw 29, that 2o serves to secure the block adjustably in the ends of the body of the charge-receiver. It will be apparent that by. loosening or tightening the said screw 29 the blocks 26-may be adjusted toward or from the central bridge 25, as may be required to diminish or enlarge the openings Z Z', (see Fig. 12,) into which the powder and shot are respectively received. As shown, in said Figs. l0 and 12, the blocks 26 are graduated in drains and ounces, as re- 3ov quired, in order to regulate their adjustment for any required charge of powder and shot. It will now be understood that if the chargereceiver 17 be reciprocated in the box or hollow guide 16 powder and shot will be successively received in the cavities Z and Z', Fig. 12, which exist between the adjustable blocks 26 and the bridge E25-that is to say, when the charge-receiver is adjusted to the right the opening Z (see Fig. 12) will be iilled 4o with shot. Then upon shifting the chargereceiver 17 to the left the right-hand block 26 will pass beneaththe mouth of the shot-holder 21 and cut oi discharge therefrom, while'th'e opening Z will be brought in registration with the mouth of the powder-holder 20, and thus be filled with powder. orsliding movement of the charge-receiver 17 either powder or shot will be discharged into the opening 22 in the supporting-bar l5, 5o and thus pass through the tube 22 into the shell-receiver 23. It will be understood that the blocks 26 thus serve not only as means -for regulating the size of the charges of p ow. der and shot, but also as cut-ods for the pow-- 5:; der and shot holders, and that the -openings Z and Z of the charge-receiver arealternately brought into registration with the mouth of the tube 22.-

The means for connecting the charge-re- 6o ceiver 17 with they lever are as follows: The charge-receiver 17 is provided on its front side with a central lateral pin'30, and the lever 10 is provided (see Fig. 13) with a crosspiece v10", having-a notch 3l adapted to receive the said piu 30. When the lever 10 is raised to the inclined position shown in Fig. 1, the pin 30 enters the notch 31, and if the At each reciprocation lever-while held so inclined be moved to the rightor left it is manifest that the chargereceiver will be moved correspondingly.

The means for connecting the wad-plunger with the lever lO, so as to allow the latter to be shifted laterally, are as follows: As shown in Figs. 1 and 14, a rod or shaft 32 passes through the plunger 7, and its ends are connected by pivot-links 33 with the bifurcated portion of the vlever between which the notched piece 10a, before referred to, is arranged. It will now be seen that the links 33 allow the plunger '7 to reciprocate vertically in nxed guides, while the lever passes from the upper inclined position (shown in full lines,-Fig. 1) to the lower in'clined position, (shown'by dotted lines inthe same'figure,) and,further, that the lever may be shifted right or left by reason of the rod 32 sliding through the plunger. the lever 10 is illustrated in' Fig. 2 by dotted and full lines. It will be understood that when the lever l0 is shifted to the right, as shown in full lines, Fig. 2, a charge of powder will be delivered into the tube 22 and pass into the cartridge Z in the receiver 23. Then awad Y being pushed into the receiver 23 (seeFlg. 5) the lever l0 is forced down and the plunger 7 carries the wad into place upon the powder charge. During this `time the shot-opening Z' in the charge-receiver is filled, and when the latter is again raised to the upper inclined position (shown in Figs. 1 and 2)'the notched bridge-piece 10a again engages the pin 30, and the lever being then shifted to the left, as indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 2, the charge-receiver is shifted to the left, so that a shot charge is delivered through the tube 22 upon the powder wad previously inserted, as before described. Then the lever is again forced down, so that the plunger 7 may carry another wad Y into the receiver 23 upon the shot charge. This completes filling of the cartridge-shell Z'.

From the foregoing description it is appar- -ent that the lever is shifted laterally..after.

each vertical movement. In order to insure that its vertical movement,whereby the plunger 7 is reciprocated, shall be made at the right time-that 'is to say, when the lever is in the position required to completely shift the charge-receiver l7-we provide the stop or guard 5. (See Figs. l, 2, 3.) The same has a post rigidly connected with the basepiece 1, its upper end being so formed and so located that the lever 10 cannot pass downward except at the extreme limit of its lateral throw or movement. In other words, the post 5 will arrest the downward movement of the lever 10 at any point intermediate of the limits indicated by full and dotted lines, Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 2, a wad table or tray 6 is provided with a series of compartments ordivisions which converge at the opening shown in Fig. 5. ln other words, the table has oppositely-inclined sides and ribs 33", which are The lateral shifting ofA ICO" IIO

arranged convergently and atan angle to each' other, whereby the said compartments. are formed. It will be seen thatthis form ofthe compartments enables .wads Y to be easily and quickly guided tothe aforesaid opening for delivery in the receiver 23. As shown in Fig. 5, the body of the latter is cylindrical and provided at its upper end with avlia'nge 34, which rests upon the flange 35 and forms an :o integral part of the base-piece l. A nut 36 (see also Fig. 4) is screwed up against the said tiang'e 35, the vbody of ythe receiver .23 being suitably-threaded for the purpose, By this means the receiver ,islheld rigidly in` place;

*i 5 yet by detaching the tray or wad table 6,

which is secu red to the base-piece by a screw, `the receiver 23 maybe drawn upward through the opening inthe flange 35 when the nut 36 has' beep screwed off the same. To the lower 2o end of the body of the receiver 23 is attached 'a sleeve 37, -having a lateral lug or ear 3S. It s h'e1d in place by a clamp-screw 39, which permits it to be adjusted higher or lower, as may be required to accommodate shells Z of 25 diierent lengths. "A flat or broad lever 40 is pivotedto the lug 38 and adapted to swing horizontally. (See dotted lines,Fig.6.) Vhen in the position shown by full lines, Figs. 1,-4,

45,' 6, the said'leversupports a cartridge-shell. A3o Z' in the position required to enable it to be filled with powder and shot, and when the lever is swung laterally the 4loaded shell is allowed to drop down and another is inserted.

The lever 40 islprovided with a lug4l, (see Figs. l, 4, and 6,) which serves as a stop that insures. its arrest when swnngback to proper position beneath the body 23 of the shell-receiver. The upper end of the receiver proper,-

23, is provided with a series of spring-fingers o l42, which are rigidly vsecured in place. The

form of said -fing'ersis shown in Figs. 5 and 7,

monly the ease when shells have been onceused, the fingers will force the shell to -assume the original cylindrical shape. Thus the fingers 42 serve to distend and reshape lthe upper edges of deformed paper shot-shells.

We desire to be understood that We do not -restrict ourselves to the precise means here 6o described for securing the spring-fingers to the body of the shell-i-eceiverfsince we propose to employ any suitable means for effecting it. j

Between the wad-table 'andthe month of 6 5 the shell-receiver 23 is interposed a wad-'guide 46. (See Fig. 5.) The same consists o f a thin metal plate having anopening nearly as large the specific purpose of loading cartridgeshells, we desire it to be yunderstood that we l do not restrict our claims to that extent, since it is adapted and we propose to use it for other analogous purposes. l l

Having thus described our invention, what we claim'as new, and desire to secureby LettersI Patent, is-

1. ln a cartridge-shell loader, the combination, with powderand shot holders,`and a.`

charge-receiver, arranged to slide beneath them, of a lever which is so pivoted that it may swing in both vertical and horizontal A, planes and engage withthe said charge-rev beneath them of a lever pivoted to swing ver' tically and havingr avfulcru'm which is rotatable horizontally and means for ee'cting de-v tachable engagement' of said lever with the charge-receiver, and a spring holding the lever normally elevated and engaged with the Ico chargeireceiver substantially as shown and described.

3. In a shell-loader'the combination with a 'chargelreceiver arranged to reciprocate horizontally and a fixed box or guide for the same having a base or bottom portion provided with a central discharge-opening, of a conductor or tube which registers with the said opening and a leverpivoted upon a suitable support s0 that it may be shifted vertically and horizonally and-so constructed as to engage the charge-receiver when in the raised position, and a vertically-slidable wad-plunger and meansl for connecting. it with said lever in the manner described, whereby it moves with the lever vertically while the latter is adapted to shift laterally as. required for engagement with the charge-receiver, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a shell-loader the combination with a box or fixed horizontal guide having two inletopenings and one discharge-openingtfor powder and shot, of a charge-receiver which is mounted to reciprocate in said guide and is provided with a lateral projection and a lever pivoted so as to oscillate vertically and horizontally and having a notched piece so constructed as to engage the projection of the charge-receiver when the lever israised substantially as shown and described-l IIO 5. In a shell-loader the combination with a n box or horizontal guide havinginlet-openings limit, substantially'as shown and described.

6. In a shell-loader the combination with a charge-receiver mounted to reciprocate, and its boxguide having inletwpenings and a discharge-opening and a lever having means to engage with means on said charge-receiver and to oscillate in vertical and horizontal planes, of a stop and guard for the lever, the same being a post connected with the baseframe and having its top portion arranged in the plane which is intermediate of the lateral limits of .thevertical movement of the lever as shown and described, whereby the lever is prevented from descending save when thrown to the right orleft of the central position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a shell-loader, the combination,with a vertically-reciprocating wad-plunger of the pivoted lever so pivoted that it may oscillate vertically and horizontally, and means for connecting the lever and plunger consisting of a rod which is slidable through the plunger transversely and having pivoted links attached to its ends, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a shell-loader the combination with a charge-receiver and a box or guide for the same having inlet and discharge openings and a wad-plunger which is slidable vertically in fixed guides of a pivoted lever so pivoted as to oscillate vertically and horizontally, and means for connecting the lever and plunger which permit the lever to move laterally and independently of the plunger to swing to compensate for the arc in which the lever moves vertically, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a shell-loader the combination with a slidable charge-receiver and a horizontal box or guide for the same having inlet and discharge openings of a vertically-slidable wadplunger and a pivoted lever mounted to movevertically and horizontally, a means of connection between the said lever and plunger,

" which permits the lever to shift horizontally,

substantially as shownA and described.

v10. In a shell-loader the combination with a charge-receiver havinga lateral projection and a horizontal box or guide`th'erefor having inlet and discharge openings of a lever pivoted so as to swing vertically and horizontally and having a notched bridgepiece so constructed as to engage the said projection, 'a plunger mounted to slide vertically and suitably connected with the lever, and a stop or guard for the lever whereby the latter is guided in its ascending vertical movement so that its notched bridge-piece engages the projection of the charge-receiver in the manner described.

11. In a shell-loader the combination with a box or guide having two inlet-openings on theupper side and a single discharge-opening on the lower side of a charge-receiver mounted to reciprocate therein and compris ing a body portion having a central bridgepiece and parallel sides extended as shown, of blocks which are slotted horizon tally lengthwise and arranged between such sides, and screws passing through the sides and the slots of the blcks whereby the latter may be adjusted toward or f rom the bridge-piece and clamped in any adjustment, substantially as shown and described.

l2. The combination, with a cartridge-shell receiver, 'ofthe cylindrical clamp applied to the same so as to slide vertically and rotate therein, and having a clamp-screw for fastening it in the manner described, a lever supported horizontally on said pivot so as to swing horizontally, and provided with a lng adapted tol engage the body of the clamp and constituting a stop, as an'd for the purpose specified.-

13. The combination with alcartridge-shell receiver having notched flanges at its upper end of a series of spring-fingers that project into the receiver and have bent Shanks which lie in the notches oi said anges, and a fastening device applied around said shanks whereby the springs are held in place and yet adapted for individual detachment, substantially as shown and described.

. ERNEST L. WETZIG. GEORGE W. REUST.

Witnesses:

HENRY THIELE, JOHN IRWIN.

IOO 

